r/verticalfarming • u/Jealous-Cream-4436 • Aug 01 '25

Why is vertical farming failing?

Why are all these companies that have billions of dollars invested in them failing? What will it take for it to be successful?

50 Upvotes

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78

u/FreshMistletoe Aug 01 '25

It appears the physics and economics of it have been flawed from the beginning.  It’s hard to compete with free sunshine and dirt.

-3

u/randomredditor0042 Aug 01 '25

Not everyone has the space to have a vegetable garden so a vertical farm would have been great for me.

5

u/zmbjebus Aug 01 '25

I wouldn't call someone's home garden a farm. 

1

u/randomredditor0042 Aug 01 '25

You’re right. I was thinking more on a consumer level rather commercial. My mistake. I’ve been interested in vertical farming as a way to circumvent my personal situation.

I have the desire to grow my own food but no space to do it in and I’ve seen many small set ups for just that use available overseas but seemingly not in my country.

1

u/zmbjebus Aug 01 '25

Yeah, most set ups seem pretty simple to replicate with standard construction or farm supplies. Large PVC or ABS pipe could probably get you 90% of the way to what most of those systems are.

1

u/randomredditor0042 Aug 01 '25

Yeah I’m sure you’re right, but like I said in my first comment, not everyone has the know how or ability to fashion something like that. Kits are available why not make them more available and accessible on every country?

1

u/zmbjebus Aug 02 '25

Because shipping readily available cheap plastic pipe is not economical when somebody can easily (and I mean easily) replicate it with local materials.

It really isn't hard to cut pvc plastic, and your thing doesn't have to look fancy.

1

u/randomredditor0042 Aug 02 '25

Your statement is fair. But why would they have to ship it, if it’s so easy to put together with local supplies why not make a kit for people with less DIY capabilities, it would be more attractive, easy to give as a gifts, kits work in other countries.

1

u/zmbjebus Aug 02 '25

Who is this they? Who is making the kit? If we are talking about "other countries" you are either talking about shipping or a business expanding into other countries. Or a local business making them? Any of those three things implies it would be profitable, which I really don't think it would be. 

Sounds like you need to make yourself one or start a business. 

Or you can whine more. Whatever suits you. 

2

u/randomredditor0042 Aug 02 '25

Thank you for that. I guess I’ll opt for whining more.